In its bid to arrest the rising cases of Lassa fever in the country, Nigeria’s centre for disease control and prevention has activated its lassa fever emergency operations centre.
The total number of confirmed cases in January 2023 was 29 as compared to 53 in January 2024,while the case fatality rate was put at 27.6 percent in 2023 as compared to 11.3 percent this year
The cases spread across 6 states in 2023 to 9 states in 2024 spanning across 13 to 25 LGAs in the country.
The NCDC says the activation of its national lassa fever technical working group is as a result of a risk assessment conducted by subject matter experts from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, stakeholders and major partners
The exercise revealed that “ The outcome of the risk assessment placed the country at “High Risk” of increased risk of Lassa fever transmission and impact due to factors like Increased number of states reporting cases, high case fatality in confirmed cases, The low index of suspicion among health care workers, Healthcare worker infections and deaths, and the continued attrition of essential healthcare.
In a statement signed by the director general of the agency, Ifedayo Adetifa, the disease centre outlines that “in 2023, there was a rise in the number of cases reported from week 49 and associated healthcare workers infection over a period of three weeks. This upsurge indicated an early peak into the high transmission season nationally, although, this is usually seen from January to May annually.
The agency states that “The zones of impact of Lassa fever have been increasing across the country with risk of international exposure
Prior to the activation of the EOC, the NCDC had put up preparations for this Lassa fever season and the LF-EOC activation will coordinate a national response particularly across affected states to help minimize suffering, reduce mortality, interrupt disease transmission, and address socioeconomic complications caused by Lassa fever using a one health approach.
The agency also advised members of the public have collectively commit to maintaining personal and environmental hygiene as well as food hygiene in the fight against Lassa fever as early detection and immediate presentation at health facilities significantly increase survival chances.
Nigeria recorded 9155 suspected cases, 1270 confirmed cases and 227 deaths with a case fatality rate of 17.9 percent across 28 states and 124 LGAs reported in 2023.
(C) ControlTV 2024.
